Fewer Winnipeg Homes in Danger from Flooding

The City of Winnipeg provided more details Tuesday afternoon on their preparations for rising river levels in the city.

Currently the James Avenue level is at 13.9 feet and is expected to reach 20 feet by late Thursday, March 26, 2009, due to ice conditions on the Red River.

Grant Mohr, Land Drainage and Flood Protection Planning Engineer with the City’s Water and Waste Department, says, “City crews have been surveying and staking the 34 properties at risk for 20 feet James Avenue. Sandbag deliveries has begun for these at-risk properties. It is estimated that about 24,000 sandbags will be required for these properties.”

The water flowing from the U.S. will be in the range of 19 to 20.5 feet James April 12 – 17. For comparison, the 2006 level was 20.4 at James Avenue.

This new information means a reduction in the original number of at-risk properties from 292 to about 70.

With more precipitation expected today and in the coming days, the City is monitoring the situation closely.

The City of Winnipeg is preparing for a water level of 20.5 feet James. For that level, 33 flood pumping stations will be activated and about 200 flood control gates will be operational. In addition, there will be 32 temporary pumping locations set up.

Yesterday the public was made aware of three locations where sandbags will be available for pick up to assist in property protection.

To get up to date Red River water levels, follow @redinwinnipeg on Twitter. Don’t know what Twitter is? Find out.